The Ultimate Tampa Bay Beach Guide
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
7. Honeymoon Island – “The one that offers it all”
- Best for: Hiking, swimming, sunsets, smooth white sand, wildlife watching, dog friendly beaches
- Beach parking: $8 per car (1 Causeway Blvd Dunedin)
- Where to stay: Fenway Hotel
Honeymoon Island is a favorite amongst both locals and tourists. On any given weekend, you can expect a line to get into this beautiful park. Although entrance is quite pricey (8 bucks a car), it’s worth it for a full day of fun-the-sun. Besides 4 miles of gorgeous white sand beaches and ideal swimming conditions, the highlight here is the beautiful 3 mile Osprey trail.
Spend some time away from the beaches in favor of exploring one of the last remaining virgin slash pine forests in Florida. On the trail, you may see gopher tortoises, osprey and eagle nests, and lots of hermit crabs.
Best breakfast/coffeehouse near the beach
Sandpiper Cafe – Cute local café in downtown Dunedin. Features whimsical beachy décor inside and a cute shady patio out back. Serves excellent coffee and pastries along with a full breakfast menu. A bit overpriced, but worth it for the cute ambiance.
Dunedin Coffee Company – Local coffeehouse favorite which serves delicious coffee, quiche, and homemade pastries in a low-key local setting.
Ohana Cafe – Laid-back Hawaiian cafe which serves healthy organic breakfast and lunch fare. Serves the best pancakes in town, including a rare GF vegan option. Awesome smoothies and acai bowls!
Local lunch gems
The Living Room on Main – International favorite with an eclectic menu sure to please everyone. Features include unique décor inside and a great patio for the cooler season!
Clear Sky Draught House – Popular local restaurant/pub which serves a diverse menu of American comfort favorites. Highlights include awesome burritos, lots of drink specials, fun apps, and a delicious create-your-own mac and cheese option.
More fun in the vicinity
Hammock Park – Local park with several short nature trails, a disc golf course, picnicking facilities, and a butterfly garden. Great place to get back to nature for a bit during the cooler season (beware – there is not much shade here!).
Dunedin Main Street – Charming downtown area lined with shady trees. You will find a number of local cafes, boutique shops, and art galleries here. Cork and Beans is a wonderful local wine/coffee bar. Also, be sure to stop by the Beatles museum if you are a fan!
Edgewater Park – Quiet park near the waterfront. Great place to take a short stroll and enjoy the exotic bird life.
8. Sand Key – “A shelling oasis”
- Best for: Beachcombing, scenic views, picnics, avoiding crowds
- Beach parking: $5 for the day (1060 Gulf Blvd Clearwater)
- Where to stay: Sandpearl Resort
Sand Key is the beachcombing oasis of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Almost the entirety of the beach is loaded with colorful shells. Unfortunately, this means the sand isn’t as soft and smooth to the touch as that found in neighboring Clearwater. However, you get the benefit of going home with a big bag of beautiful shells. You may find a coveted sand dollar here (note-do not take if alive!). Another bonus is the lack of tourist crowds and the gorgeous views of the cityscape.
Bonus – there is a nice little picnicking area by the parking lot. During the milder season, skip the pricey tourist restaurants in favor of a nice quiet lunch accompanied by a scenic view! Other amenities include restrooms, nature trails, a dog park, and umbrella/kayak rentals.
Best breakfast/coffeehouse near the beach
Southie Coffee – Funky local coffeehouse serving excellent coffee and pastries. Plenty of vegan options including an amazing black bean empanada and tasty muffins. Located a few miles off the causeway, but worth the drive!
Belleair Coffee Company – This 4th wave local roaster is located about 5 miles away, but well worth the trek for the top knotch coffee and food. They easily serve the most amazing coffee/espresso drinks in Tampa. Try the overnight oats or quiche of the day along with your cup of joe.
Local lunch gems
Columbia – Tampa’s most popular Cuban/Spanish restaurant opened in 1905 in Ybor City as Florida’s oldest restaurant. Today, locations are found throughout the metro. The Sand Key restaurant is particularly attractive as the dining room faces the water. Take a seat on the breezy waterfront patio and enjoy Cuban black bean soup, paella, and black bean cakes.
Good Vibes Juice Co. – Go healthy with a fresh smoothie, acai bowl, or juice drink. After a long day in the hot Florida sunshine, a refreshing cool treat is oftentimes more satisfying than a hefty lunch.
More fun in the vicinity
Pinellas Trail – Beautiful 50 mile rail trail running from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs. Rated one of the country’s best rail trails for its’ flat terrain, easy access to numerous attractions, and many access points. See the Pinellas map to plan your adventure.
Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise – Fun themed cruise which departs in Clearwater Beach. Soak up the sun, enjoy the view, look out for dolphins, and take part in all sorts of pirate adventures on this lively cruise.
Merry Mouse of Sand Key – Great gift shop offering an incredible assortment of souvenirs, plus custom t shirts.
9. North Redington Beach – “Hidden gem of the Gulf”
- Best for: Quiet walks on the beach, relaxation, uninterrupted natural beauty
- Beach parking: Meters located along 18200 Gulf Blvd
- Where to stay: Hotel Sol
Best Breakfast/coffeehouse near the beach
Sweet Sage Cafe – Laid-back American cafe serving comfort style breakfast and lunch fare. Fun tropical themed outdoor patio. Highlights include Apple Crisp French toast, Quiche, crepes, and specialty Benedicts.
Gypsy Souls Coffeehouse – Waterfront coffeeshop with a cozy outdoor seating area. Also serves light breakfast fare (smoothies, bagels, pastries, etc).
Local lunch gems
Bay 1 Sandwich Company – Simple no frills counter service sandwich shop known for their delicious sandwiches, Cuban dishes, and ice cream! Great quick stop after hitting the beach.
Greek Village restaurant – Authentic local Greek cafe located just a few miles from the beach in a low-key strip plaza. The fantastic lunch specials come with pita, tzatziki, and a Greek salad. Try the cheese/spinach pie combo.
Seabreeze Island Grill – Quaint seafood eatery overlooking the waterfront. Known for their Grouper sandwiches and nuggets. Try their early bird special (11-5) which includes an entrée, pineapple coconut bread, a side, and a slice of cheesecake for just 13 bucks.
More fun in the vicinity
Lake Seminole Park – Gorgeous shady park with a 2 mile biking/walking path. Other amenities include a huge playground, softball fields & volleyball courts, and gorgeous views of the lake. Parking is free.
Studio Movie Grill – Dine in movie theater serving a full menu of apps, entrees, desserts, and specialty drinks. Order before the movie or via your comfy seat.
Boca Ciega Millennium Park – Quiet park with a short boardwalk trail and an observation point looking over the Bay. Prime place to birdwatch and enjoy a variety of natural Florida habitats.
Also be sure to take a look at my handy Florida beach day guide.
